Multiple disk clutch with forced lift and simplified assembly

Abstract

In a multiple disk clutch, a first clutch disk is located between a flywheel which forms a counter-pressure plate and an intermediate plate and a second clutch disk is located between the intermediate plate, on the opposite side from the first clutch disk, and a pressure-plate. The two clutch disks are attached to an output shaft so that they rotate with but are axially slidable relative to the shaft. The intermediate plate has balance edges each supporting a two-arm lever approximately at its center. The two-arm levers are disposed in planes approximately parallel to the clutch disks and they are arranged to pivot on the intermediate plate about an axis extending radially of the axis of rotation of the clutch. One arm of each lever is connected by a swivel joint to the clutch housing and the other arm is connected by a swivel joint to the pressure plate. A lifting spring prestresses the intermediate plate toward the pressure plate.

I claim: 
     
       1. A multiple disk clutch, such as a double disk clutch, comprising a housing, a flywheel acting as a counter-pressure plate, an intermediate plate spaced from said flywheel, a first clutch disk positioned between said flywheel and intermediate plate, a spring-loaded pressure plate spaced from said intermediate plate on the opposite side thereof from said flywheel, a second clutch disk located between said intermediate plate and pressure plate, said first and second clutch disks arranged to be rotatably secured on and axially displaceable along an output shaft, at least one two-armed lever disposed in a plane substantially parallel with said first and second clutch disks, said at least one two-armed lever is pivotally supported on said intermediate plate about an axis of rotation extending radially of the axis of rotation of said clutch disks, one of the arms of said at least one lever is connected to one of said flywheel or said housing and the other arm is connected to said pressure plate, wherein the improvement comprises a first swivel joint connects said at least one lever to said housing and a second swivel joint connects said at least one lever to said pressure plate, a lifting spring biasing said intermediate plate in the direction toward said pressure plate, and said intermediate plate having a balance edge thereon with said balance edge disposed in supporting contact with said at least one lever approximately midway between said first and second swivel joints. 
     
     
       2. A multiple disk clutch, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lifting spring is a tangential leaf spring. 
     
     
       3. A multiple disk clutch, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a readjusting device is associated with each said at least one two-armed lever for providing automatic wear compensation, said readjusting device is positioned between said first swivel joint and said housing. 
     
     
       4. A multiple disk clutch, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said readjusting device comprises a shifting device incorporating a frictional force to be overcome before the shifting action takes place. 
     
     
       5. A multiple disk clutch, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said readjusting device comprises a plastically deformable part. 
     
     
       6. A multiple disk clutch, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second clutch disk includes friction lining and a spring suspension for the friction lining. 
     
     
       7. A multiple disk clutch, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first disk clutch includes a friction lining and a spring suspension for the friction lining, and said spring suspension of said friction lining of said second disk clutch has a greater slope of the spring characteristic than the spring suspension of said first clutch disk. 
     
     
       8. A multiple disk clutch, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said friction linings of said second clutch disk are formed with a lining material more subject to wear than said friction linings of said first clutch disk.